Claim OwnershipWays to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy
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How can you change the world? Join Krishnan Guru-Murthy and his guest of the week as they explore the big ideas influencing how we think, act and live.
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Sir Tim Berners-Lee launched the worldwide web on Christmas day 1990; an invention which has undeniably and profoundly changed the world.In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Sir Tim spoke with Krishnan Guru-Murthy about why addictive algorithms should be made illegal, the potential for artificial intelligence to outsmart humans, and how the internet has been both a powerful force for good and a source of significant harm to the world.
Sir Ian McEwan is one of Britain’s most acclaimed novelists, a Booker prize winner with a career spanning five decades with work that often explores morality, memory, and the intersections of private lives with public events. Sir Ian has long been associated with contemporaries like Martin Amis, Julian Barnes, and Salman Rushdie, who together reshaped the British novel from the 1980s onward. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he spoke to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the great issues facing the world from artificial intelligence to the rise of authoritarianism - as well as his latest novel What We Can Know.
Philippa Perry has spent years helping people understand their inner lives, but she believes that something fundamental has shifted in the way we connect. Lockdown, she says, left many young people struggling with social confidence, while the dominance of phones and texting has created “fantasy relationships” that don’t prepare us for the realities of face-to-face communication.In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Philippa joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss the hidden costs of social media, the pressures of cancel culture, and why we are so easily drawn to bad news. She explores the dangers of overdiagnosis, the challenge of parenting in a digital age, and why building genuine, flexible relationships matters more than ever in an anxious world.
Mona Chalabi is a Pulitzer Prize-winning data journalist, illustrator, writer, and commentator who gained international recognition for her distinctive illustrations which distil complex issues into art that is deeply relatable and easily understood. In this episode of Ways To Change The World, she tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy what people should know about data journalism in a world where we are constantly bombarded by information. She also shares how reporting on Gaza has taken an emotional toll.
After a summer of Britpop revival provoked by the Oasis concerts, nineties legends Suede are about to take over the Southbank Centre in London for a series of events.In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Suede frontman Brett Anderson speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy ahead of the release of their tenth album ‘Antidepressants' and explains how his writing continues to evolve to the times and his age.
Ella Al-Shamahi grew up as a Muslim creationist, part of a ‘tribe’ that believes that humankind was created whole by a higher power. At university, she enrolled in courses that studied evolution, specifically to prove her professors wrong - but the plan backfired when she became fascinated by evolutionary biology and came to the conclusion that Darwin was, in fact, right all along. Now an accomplished paleoanthropologist, she explores the complex journey of human evolution and the origins of Homo sapiens. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Ella joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss her remarkable personal transformation from creationism to science. She also explains why she believes humans haven’t fully evolved to meet the demands of the modern world, and shares her unwavering faith in humanity’s resilience and potential.
Sami Tamimi is one of the brains behind the hugely successful and influential Ottolenghi restaurants, which he launched with his friend and long-time collaborator Yotam Ottolenghi. The pair co-wrote the bestselling cookbook Jerusalem - and more recently, Sami has written Falastin and Boustany, a powerful celebration of Palestinian food and culture. He says that in Palestine, “food is political”, and never more so than right now.
Morgan McMonagle is an Irish trauma and vascular surgeon who has been to the heart of some of the world’s most harrowing conflicts. Twice, he has traveled to Gaza, working in hospitals under constant bombardment since the conflict began.What he witnessed goes beyond medicine — it raises questions about humanity, the moral cost of war, and the toll it takes not just on the bereaved and wounded, but on those trying to save them as well.
Michael Gove, now Lord Gove of Torry in the City of Aberdeen, was a cabinet minister under David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. He ran to be leader of the Conservatives twice, famously killed off Boris Johnson's first tilt at the top job but backed him on Brexit, spectacularly falling out with David Cameron in the process in a drama portrayed in sometimes excruciating detail in a book by his ex-wife Sarah Vine. He has now gone back to his first trade of journalism as editor of the Spectator magazine.
Jacinda Ardern is arguably the most globally famous and lauded New Zealand Prime Minister of modern times. Her international profile began with her being the world's youngest head of government at thirty seven, who within months had a baby and took it all in her stride. But it was her response to the horrific terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch that gave her hero status amongst progressives around the world - embracing the muslim community in New Zealand and passing strict gun laws in response. Her six years as prime minister also meant dealing with the covid pandemic, and the fury and conspiracy theories around lockdowns and vaccines that came with it - many of which targeted her personally. And then in January 2023 - as suddenly as she had arrived on the global stage, she stood down. Her book, A Different Kind of Power, is perhaps the most sensitive and candid account of a leader you could ask for, framed around her desire to be remembered for her kindness.
Whilst life expectancy is declining in the UK and America and other high-income countries, some tech billionaires have become obsessed with life longevity - but which factors really impact how long we live and when we die? Public health expert Devi Sridhar speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World about the launch of her new book 'How not to die (Too Soon). She explains how changing our public health policy could improve life expectancy, what the UK can learn from other countries when it comes to health, and what her own cancer diagnosis taught her about the state of the NHS’ waiting list times.
Once described as the 'comedian's comedian' Stewart Lee has been performing stand up since 1988. He is known for pushing boundaries with his intelligent, self-referential and often provocative style of comedy but in his new show 'Stewart Lee vs the Man Wulf' he questions his place on the comedy circuit in an era of increasing populism rhetoric and the popularity of, in his words “$60m Netflix comedians of hate.” In this episode of Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy he discusses the state of comedy today and what he thinks of the comedy style of comics like Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle as well as why he wouldn't tour America right now. As The Observer, the world's oldest Sunday newspaper begins a new era under Tortoise media he also reflects on his column for the paper which he's stopped after 15 years. Produced by Holly Snelling and Sachin Croker
Newly appointed National Theatre Director Indhu Rubasingham becomes the first woman and person of colour to lead the theatre in it's 60 year history. She sat down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss art, diversity and censorship and taking on her 'dream job.' Produced by Holly Snelling and Vik Patel.
Joanna Moncrieff is a British psychiatrist, author and researcher who is a prominent and controversial voice in the research of depression. Her 2002 study ‘The Serotonin Theory of Depression: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence’ concluded that there was no link between serotonin and depression, debunking the mainstream medical belief in antidepressants. Moncrieff, whose research has drawn criticism from ‘Big pharma’ and support from fringe figures on the right, speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the latest episode of Ways to Change the World. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Ka Yee Mak and Tom Gordon-Martin.
Pia Sinha worked in prisons for 24 years before being appointed CEO of the charity Prison Reform Trust and she describes herself as a "ridiculously optimistic" person, who believes the prisons can be made to work properly. Sinha started her career in prison as a psychologist and went on to work in female, male prisons and institutions for young offenders. She was the governor at three prisons and later was responsible for all the women’s prisons in the country. Sinha, who believes many of the prisoners in the UK should not be behind bars, speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the latest episode of Ways to Change the World. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Ka Yee Mak and Tom Gordon-Martin.
Sustainability expert and professor Mike Berners-Lee argues that dishonesty in politics, business, and the media is one of the biggest barriers to tackling global crises like climate change, social inequality, and environmental destruction. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the need for a cultural shift where honesty is valued, and where deceit in public life carries real consequences. Without this, he warns, we risk making the world's biggest challenges even harder to solve. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Ka Yee Mak, Tom Gordon-Martin.
Entrepreneur, investor, and former Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies has spent 20 years building businesses and helping others do the same. She started her company, Crafter’s Companion, while still at university and turned it into a global brand. But as she tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy, success isn’t just about strategy - it’s about mindset. It’s a theme she explores in her latest book, The Six-Minute Entrepreneur, which distills the lessons of her own journey into advice for anyone looking to succeed. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, she reflects on the challenges facing small businesses, what she’s learned from Dragon’s Den, and why the UK needs to celebrate its entrepreneurs more. As she steps away from the Den, she also shares what’s next for her and why she remains deeply passionate about backing businesses that make a difference. Produced by Silvia Maresca and Ka Yee Mak.
Christo Grozev is a Bulgarian investigative journalist who has spent years tracking down Russian spies and is on Vladimir Putin’s wanted list. Grozev’s open-source journalism exposed spies linked to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 and Alexei Navalny in 2020. Now he is at the centre of his own sinister Kremlin plot, as a Bulgarian spy-ring was sent by Moscow to target him and planned to kidnap and kill him, before they were arrested and convicted in the UK. He speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy in this episode of Ways to Change the World ahead of the streaming release of his new documentary ‘Kill List: Hunted by Putin’s Spies’ - which is available on Channel 4. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Calum Fraser, Ka Yee Mak.
Misan Harriman went from picking up a camera for the first time aged 40, to becoming one of the most influential photographers of his generation. In 2020, his images of the Black Lives Matter protests went viral, capturing a historic moment of resistance and solidarity. He was also commissioned by Meghan Markle to take her second pregnancy announcement portrait and made history as the first Black photographer to shoot the cover for British Vogue's acclaimed September issue For Harriman, photography is more than an art form - it’s activism. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about using his platform to challenge injustice, why he believes media coverage of major global issues - including the Israel-Palestine conflict - can fuel division rather than understanding, and why he wants to inspire the next generation to make a difference.. Produced by Silvia Maresca.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy sits down with Jude Kelly, founder of the Women of the World (WOW) Foundation, to talk about the rise of traditional values in global politics, equitable education and the arts and whether the divine really is 'a bloke'. Kelly, a theatre director and former artistic director of the Southbank centre in London, reflects on her experiences challenging entrenched patriarchal values while growing up as an Irish immigrant in England; how she feels our financial, legal and religious norms have placed men in charge of society and what to do about it; the recent resurgence of traditional values and strongman politics; and why community-driven change is the real key to creating a more just and equitable society. Produced by Silvia Maresca.
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brilliant podcast, great episode 👍
I really like this one, feels very profound but he also makes fun of his own thinking.
hello, cm u please talk over Afghanistan refugees these escape from Taliban, the Terrorist who kills civilians. thanks
lil complete bs
I completely agree, I think it would greatly reduce the number of reoffenders. I personally think that the definition of "prisons" can be changed. It can mean being in a place that is safe from the public, but emulates the real world. I'm 24 and I think a lot of young people would agree with this. Great podcast, thank you.
I appreciate you feel the need to counter every proposition with some countervailing argument because it is part of some establishment set protocol Krishnan, but is there no subject where so called balance, giving equal exposure or equivalent consideration to two sides (questionable definition and category mistake aside) of an argument is just plain silly? You start to sound like a defender of big tech in this podcast, and frankly they don't need it. Nor is it sensible one of their invested experts be given the right to reply in a podcast of his own. Leaving polite comment aside , PICK A FUCKING SIDE!, because those forces set against democracy, justice (social, judicial, younameit) have, and they are winning. If not, look forward to hearing BNP spokesman given opportunity to expound in reasonable, chatty tone on the validity of racism in future podcast.
Awesome and inspiring
I love this. I think he's right, education in poetry would be highly beneficial in giving voices to children and their circumstances, being less about studying others and more about setting their voice, finalizing it and performing their perspective on the world, making it a teachable moment. Eye opening perspective on the government and their reaction to gang crime too and what can be done. Thank you.
Google manages to dodge qustions about tax and profits as in real life....if they were a force for good they should pay more tax and contribute to the services our electorate decide on!
Very brave man.. what an amazing story to tell x
Well done, Rachel. Don't be cowed.
"when a cis woman barks at me".. is such a misogynistic thing to say, especially by a trans person.
I genuinely really adored listening to her. She seems like a wonderful role model; hardworking, triumphant at overcoming her past and purely hopeful and thankful. Thank you for this.
Loved listening to this. She's an inspiration.
inspiring on many levels
favourite podcast! great choice of guests, always fascinating and a warm interview to listen to.
2 remoaners in a row come on c4 let's think about some balance... Lammy then Albarn
So basically if things go well it's due to Brexit, if things go badly it's due to a myriad of factors. Shirking all responsibility.